IntroDan Mullen took Mississippi State to new heights in 2014, as the Bulldogs won 10 games, received an invitation to the Orange Bowl, and at one point were ranked first in the country. However, Mississippi State did fall short of reaching the SEC Championship Game, which will be the Bulldog’s primary goal in 2015.

OffenseLeading the way for State will be arguably the best quarterback in the SEC, Dak Prescott. Prescott had an amazing season in 2014, throwing for over 3,400 yards and rushing for nearly 1,000 yards, while accounting for 42 total touchdowns, including one receiving. Prescott is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, and if he can build off of last year’s success, he could be a leading Heisman candidate in 2015.

Mississippi State lost a few of the key playmakers around Prescott, but they keep the two that matter most in receivers De’Runnya Wilson and Fred Ross, who combined for 14 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards receiver last year.

The State running game may take a hit with the loss of Josh Robinson, who was a great complement to Prescott running the ball last season. But the Bulldogs bring back some experience with Brandon Holloway and Ashton Shumpert, while there is a great deal of excitement surrounding redshirt freshman Aeris Williams.

Mississippi State will also have an offensive line comprised of five upper classmen, including Justin Malone and Justin Senior, who both have a chance to be all-SEC caliber players this year.

DefenseDefensively, Mississippi State will have several key players to replace. Senior defensive end Ryan Brown has a chance to have a big season, but the rest of the defensive line is made up of backups moving into starting roles for the first time in their careers. At linebacker, the Bulldogs will have a pair of experienced playmakers in Richie Brown and Beniquez Brown. In the secondary, seniors Will Redmond and Taveze Calhoun may be among the best cornerback duos in the SEC, although State is not quite as experienced at the safety position.

Special TeamsOn special teams, senior Devon Bell is an accomplished punter, but he may also be asked to be the team’s placekicker, a role he struggled in two seasons ago. Meanwhile, Ross will return punts for the Bulldogs after impressing in that role last year, with junior college transfer Donald Gray expected to hand kickoff returns.

OutlookThe Bulldogs look solid from top to bottom this year, but their defensive line was a huge part of their success last season, and that’s the one position where there could be a noticeable drop off. If the Mississippi State defense turns out to be average, it’s going to take a monster season from Prescott to get the Bulldogs to the top of the SEC West in 2015.

Coach Dan Mullen:"I try to be swagged up in footwear. I've got a little sock game going today too. You know what, I was talking to the guys at Adidas, like, hey, this is the hottest shoe. I'm like, well, I'd like to wear kind of cool shoes, I think, when I go somewhere. I don't go too overboard with the suits sometimes, little more conservative that way, but with the sock game and the shoe wear, I try to have some swag on any time I do that stuff."

"I think the one thing that does separate the division (SEC West) from a lot of other schools is all seven schools think they have a legitimate chance to win the conference title."Quarterback Dak Prescott:"Everything I do this summer and fall, I know it's my last time doing it. I have to make it count."